Newcomers

If you are a Newcomer to Trinity, or if this is your first time visiting our website, the information below is a brief overview of who we are as a church. We do offer a brief one-shot newcomer's class to answer any additional questions you may have. Time and dates are announced, and also provided in our online event calendar once determined.

OUR VALUES (What we practice)

Values are important because they determine what you do. Below are Trinity’s values, those things we seek to practice!

To reach unbelievers and turn them into growing, serving, reproducing disciples of Christ (Matt. 28:19-20).

We use for words to simplify our mission: Reach, Grow, Serve and Reproduce

OUR VISION (What we want to see happen)

1. To be a church that is intentional about reaching the community and nation through outreach events, U.S. mission trips and by equipping believers to share their faith.

2. To be a church that is actively involved in global outreach by:• Financially supporting missionaries overseas projects• Engaging in several short term missions trips• Praying for missionaries, persecuted believers and other countries

3. To be a church that disciples believers into Christ-likeness by teaching topically and verse by verse through books of the Bible, offering classes/seminars, encouraging participation in small groups and providing a structure for one on one discipleship to take place

4. To start new ministries and partner with already existing ones to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people.

5. To be a church that challenges and equips all believers to discover their gifts and serve in ministries both inside and outside the church

6. To provide a culturally relevant, Biblically centered children’s and youth ministry in order to reach and disciple the next generation

7. To be a church that multiplies small groups throughout our community that will reach the lost, disciple believers and provide ongoing pastoral care.

8. To be a church that plants other churches

9. To participate in a city wide movement with other evangelical churches/pastors by praying together, engaging in joint worship services and ministry projects in order to demonstrate our unity in the body of Christ and make a collective impact on our community and city

OUR STRATEGY

Our strategy is how we fulfill our mission/vision. We encourage you to commit to the chapel strategy:

C-Commit to sharing Christ and attending an outreachH-Help support God’s work through your tithes and offeringsA-Attend a Sunday service, small group and our growth classesP-Pray and read the Word dailyE-Enlist in a ministry or area of service based on your spiritual giftsL-Live daily by the power of the Spirit

OUR BELIEF STATEMENT

1. BibleWe believe the Bible is God’s Word to man and is without error in its original writing. God’s Word is given to us from Genesis-Revelation, no more, no less. As a result, it is the standard for what we believe and practice (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20).

2. GodWe believe in one God, who is a Spirit and is Eternal, Immortal, Invisible and the Creator and Sustainer of all things (I Timothy 1:17; Duet 6:4). God is transcendent, above and beyond His creation, yet he is immanent, involved personally with his creation.

3. Jesus ChristWe believe Jesus Christ, second member of the Trinity, is sinless, virgin born and is fully God and fully man (John 1:1; I John 4:1-2). We believe Christ is the only way to God (John 14:6).

4. Holy SpiritWe believe the Holy Spirit is a person not a force, and is fully God (Acts 5:3-4). His primary role is to bring glory to Christ through His ministry to the church and world (John 15:27; 16:14; I Cor. 12).

5. TrinityWe believe there is one God who exists in three distinct persons, yet each person is fully God (I Cor. 8:4; I Timothy 2:5; Matt. 28:19-20). Each member of the trinity is one in essence, yet distinct in person.

6. Death of ChristWe believe that Christ died as a sacrifice for God and a substitute for man. His death on the cross is the only payment for man's sins and is sufficient and effective for all who believe (I Peter 3:18; II Cor. 5:21).

7. Resurrection of ChristWe believe that Christ arose from the dead both literally and physically. After His resurrection, He ascended back to the father to a position of authority (I Cor.15:12-32; Acts 2:33).

8. Second ComingWe believe that Christ is coming back again both literally and physically (I Thess. 5:1-10). When He returns, He will reward the righteous, judge the wicked and set up His kingdom (Revelation 20:1-5).

9. SalvationWe believe that Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Good works are a result of salvation not a requirement for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9).

10. HumanityWe believe that every human being is born with a corrupted nature and bears the guilt of Adam's sin (Romans 5:12-14; Eph. 2:1-3). As a result, each person is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-2), under God’s wrath (John3:36) and in need of a Savior (I John 2:2).

11. SatanWe believe that Satan is a personal spirit being who leads a host of demons to blind men to the truth of the gospel (II Cor 4:4) and take them captive to do his will (II Timothy 2:25-26). Furthermore, he seeks to oppress Christians and render them ineffective in the commitment to and service to Christ (I Thessalonians2:17-18) He, along with his minions, will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10).

12. Eternal SecurityWe believe that once a person is truly saved, they cannot lose their salvation. If a person professes to be saved but shows no fruit, they do not lose their salvation but never had it to begin with (John 10:28-30; Romans 8:30-39).

OUR GOVERNING (How we are lead)

1. Leadership by the EldersWe are lead primarily by a group of Biblically qualified men known as Elders. The Bible also refers to them as overseers or pastors. All three of those words are used interchangeably and do not refer to three separate offices. The senior pastor is not above the Elders. He is one of the Elders. The Elders provide spiritual and directional oversight for the church and meet at least once a month to discuss business. Currently, there are 6 elders, who are listed in the bulletin.

Although we are not congregationally led, the church does have input of issues such as property or the changing of by laws.

2. Leadership by the…

a. StaffThe elders are also assisted by individual staff leaders who oversee specific ministries such as worship, children etc. The staff is accountable to the elder board through the senior pastor.

b. Deacons/DeaconessWe also have a group of servants known as Deacons and Deaconesses who come along side the Elders to serve. They do not have a ruling capacity like the Elders, but are used to serve in the practical aspects of ministry, like serving communion, helping the poor etc.

* Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses are elected each year, if their terms are up at our annual congregational meeting each March. You will be given notice of this meeting well in advance. Members are allowed to nominate individuals for these roles provided they meet the qualifications.

* Staff positions are appointed by the Elder board through the pastor.

OUR ORDINANCES

A. Water BaptismChrist commands all of his children to be baptized. Therefore, it is not optional. (Matt. 28:19-20). At Trinity, we do not believe that baptism saves you or washes away your sin. Rather, it is a symbol or a picture of what happened to you @ salvation (Romans 6:1-10). Therefore, we practice baptism by immersion because it best pictures what happens to us @ salvation.

B. Communion or Lord’s SupperChrist commands all believers to partake of communion. Therefore, it is not optional. (Matt. 26:17-30). Communion does not save you, but serves as a symbol to remind us of the death of Christ. It is only to be taken by believers (I Cor. 11), and it will be observed the 1st Sunday of each month.

OUR MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITYIf you would like to become a formal member at Trinity, we encourage you to do the following:

#1. Review our membership requirements below

A. In keeping with scripture, we ask that you be a Born again Christian who has trusted in Christ alone for your salvation (John 3:3).

B. In keeping with scripture, we ask that you be water baptized or plan on being baptized following your salvation (Matt. 28:19-20). Baptism is not a requirement for salvation but is an expression of your obedience to the Lord.

C. In keeping with scripture, we ask that you be willing to embrace the overall mission/vision of Trinity and our essential doctrines mentioned previously (Titus 1:7).

D. In keeping with scripture, we ask that you be willing to submit to the Elders-leaders of the church, provided they are in keeping with Scripture (Philippians 1:27, 2:1-4; Hebrews 13:17).

E. In keeping with scripture, we ask that you regularly attend one of our Sunday services(Hebrews 10:25-26).

F. In keeping with scripture, we ask that you give regularly to Trinity Christian Chapel tohelp support the work of the church (II Cor. 8-9; Malachi 3).

G. In keeping with scripture, we ask that you honor God by living a godly lifestyle as outlined by Scripture (I Peter 1:15-16; II Peter 3:18). In the event that a professing believer chooses to live in a lifestyle of sin, whether they are a member or non-member, they can be subject to church discipline as outlined in Matt. 18:15-18 for major, unrepentant sins that hurt the testimony of the church.

H. In keeping with scripture, we ask that you promote unity in the church and not division through gossip, slander, back biting etc. If you have a grievance or concern, please approach one of the leaders and share it (Luke 17:3-4).

I. In keeping with the desires of the elders, we ask that you attend our one time annual meeting each year (Dec) to help confirm the budget and leadership roles and any special congregational meetings that may happen during the year.

#2. Meet briefly with several elders for a personal interview

~ The time and place can be arranged. Please call the church @ 589-1660 and talk to the secretary for an appointment.

#3. Sign the membership agreement ~ To be given @ the interview by the Elders

* Formal membership is required to be a leader in the church. If you choose not to become a formal member by signing the membership agreement, and would like to teach, you must still fulfill the requirements of membership and meet with several elders for an interview.* If you do not want to become a member, you are still free to serve and get involved.

PLAN OF SALVATION- How does a person get to heaven?

1. Admit you are sinner who deserves God’s judgment

~ We believe everyone is born sinful and has violated God’s laws (Rom. 3:23). As a result mankind is separated from God and under his wrath. We cannot save themselves by good works (Romans 6:23)

2. Understand that Christ died for you and rose from the dead

~ Even though we are sinful and headed for hell, God sent his son Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, to die on a cross to take the penalty for our sin. Furthermore, He rose from the dead three days later to demonstrate that God accepted his payment for sin (I Peter 3:18; I Cor. 15-5).

3. Repent of your sin and believe that Christ died/rose from the dead for you

~ Understanding intellectually that Christ died and rose from the dead is not enough to save an individual. Even the demons believe intellectually that Jesus is the Son of God, but they are not going to heaven (James 2:14-25). To be saved, you must, by an act of your will, and with sincerity of heart, turn from your sin, repentance, (Acts 26:20) and believe that Christ died on the cross in your place and rose from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). When you do this, you are depending Christ and not your good works to get you into heaven (Titus 3:4-5).